HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE (ARC) PUBLIC MEETING # 4

St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School Wednesday, February 20, 2008 7 P.M.

HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

AGENDA

 Prayer  Welcome / Introductions  Background  Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee – Findings and Recommendations  Feedback/questions pertaining to recommendations  Adjournment - 9:00 p.m. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee Members Chair – Patricia Amos Superintendent of Education Trustee – Linda DiBartolomeo Ward 5 HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee Members

St. Christopher

Principal – Loretta Ferro Catholic School Council – John Zimmerman St. John the Baptist Parish – Terri Persaud Community Rep. – Bill MacIntosh HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee Members

St. David

Principal – Sandra Scime Catholic School Council – Ralph Urciuoli St. Eugene Parish – Maxine Whitehead Incarnation Parish – Kerry Dwyer-Mitchell Community Rep. – Luisa Butera HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee Members

St. Luke

Principal – Marcelo DeAngelis Catholic School Council – Anita Thompson St. Luke Parish – Lucienne Rowan Community Rep. – Marco Fortino HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

In keeping with the following: Education Act s. 8(1) Ministry of Education Pupil Accommodation Review Guidelines – October 31, 2006 Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board Policy S. 09 The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board shall review its pupil accommodation requirements annually.

HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Pupil Accommodation Review Policy (S.09) The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School board is responsible for providing schools and facilities for its students and for operating and maintaining its schools as effectively and efficiently as possible to support student achievement. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Pupil Accommodation Review Policy (S.09) The annual facilities review examines the on-going viability and operation of the schools taking into account declining enrolment, overcrowding, programming needs, facility needs, aging buildings and the need for new facilities. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Addressing Growth Areas

Since 2000, the Board has opened 6 new elementary schools:  Guardian Angels  Holy Name of Mary  Mother Teresa  Pope John Paul   St. Mark St. Th érèse of Lisieux A new Immaculate Heart of Mary school was built to replace the former school. The new school opened in January 2007.

HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

H.W.C.D.S.B. Capital Plan 2007 Funding Requests to Ministry of Education The Board has submitted the following requests to the Ministry of Education for consideration for capital funds to construct new/replacement schools in the following areas:  Ancaster  Heritage Green  Flamborough  Binbrook HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

The Board has received confirmation from the Ministry of Education that capital funds have been made available to construct a replacement school for St. Thomas Waterdown due to the fact that the school was also deemed “prohibitive to repair”. The Ministry has not allocated capital funds for the other projects at this time . HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

H.W.C.D.S.B.

Past School Closures – Due to Decline in Enrolment  St. Emeric  St. Charles Garnier  St. Thomas Aquinas  Holy Rosary HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

H.W.C.D.S.B.

School Closure/Consolidation  Christ the King / Canadian Martyrs  St. Bernard / St. David  St. Cecilia / Mother Teresa  St. Anthony / St. Luke  St. Joan of Arc / St. Agnes HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Pupil Accommodation Review Policy (S.09) According to Ministry and Board Policy, the Accommodation Review Process must include a group of schools within the review area and not a single school. The process is intended to include broader consultation and review of data from multiple schools in order to help facilitate the development of viable and practical solutions for student accommodation. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Challenges of Declining Enrolment  Enrolment and demographics determine the need for permanent facilities.

 Enrolment is the key determinant of staffing levels in schools.

 Grade structures are determined by enrolment. Small enrolment can result in triple grades in a school.  Enrolment is the major component in the Ministry of Education funding model. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Comparison of Elementary Enrolment 2000-2007 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 20,566 20,874 20,930 20,745 20,320 20,036 19,725 19,391 +/ 308 +/ 56 +/ -185 +/ -425 +/ -284 +/ -311 +/ -334 HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Enrolment Projections 2005 – 2015 (From March 2, 2007 Board Report) 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 20,036 19,725 19,407 19,227 19,109 18,974 18,858 18,768 18,739 18,650 18,564 HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Key indicators critical to the school accommodation review process are:  A school may no longer be viable based on low enrolment which presents difficulty in meeting the educational needs of the students.  Per pupil operating costs may be above Ministry funding allocations.

HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

The School Valuation Framework helps to measure the key indicators by examining school data related to each of the following categories :  Value of the school to the Student  Value of the school to the Board  Value of the school to the Community  Value of the school to the Local Economy HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Hamilton-East Accommodation Review Committee Meetings and Public Meetings Committee Meeting Committee Meeting Committee Meeting

Public Meeting #1

Committee Meeting

Public Meeting #2

Committee Meeting

Public Meeting #3

Committee Meeting Committee Meeting

Public Meeting #4

Committee Meeting June 21, 2007 September 17, 2007 October 23, 2007

October 30, 2007

November 15, 2007

November 29, 2007

January 15, 2008

January 24, 2008

February 7, 2008 February 13, 2008

February 20, 2008

February 26, 2008 HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Hamilton-East Accommodation Review Committee Meetings and Public Meetings

Public Meeting #1 Public Meeting #2 October 30, 2007

Outlined the mandate of the Accommodation Review Committee – Ministry and Board Policies and Guidelines, the Terms of Reference and the process to be followed. Reviewed of March and April 2007 Board Accommodation Reports.

November 29, 2007

Presentation of draft School Valuation Framework documents for St. Christopher, St. David, St. Luke

Public Meeting #3 January 24, 2008

Presentation of accommodation options

Public Meeting #4 February 20, 2008

Draft School Valuation Report – Recommendations for the Director of Education HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Hamilton-East ARC – Recommendations School Valuation Frameworks Based on the review of data from the School Valuation Frameworks for St. David and St. Luke Catholic Elementary School, as well as from input from the Public meetings, the Hamilton-East Accommodation Review Committee will recommend to the Director of Education that St. David Catholic Elementary School and St. Luke Catholic Elementary School are viable and should not be considered for closure or consolidation. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Review of Options for St. Christopher

At Public Meeting #3 the Hamilton East ARC indicated to the community that St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School was being considered for possible closure/consolidation based on a review of the data from the School Valuation Frameworks.

HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

The main reason for this option to be considered was based on “Value of the School to the Student”.

Declining enrolment would have a significant impact on the grade structures which would result in triple grades in 2008-2009 and four grades in a class in 2009 – 2010. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

2008-2009 St. Christopher Enrolment Including 17 Out of Boundary Students JK K Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 6 6 8 5 8 9 12 13 19 9 Total Enrolment 95 89FTE HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School 2008-2009 - Including Out of Boundary Students Class Structure JK/K Grade 1 14 students – triple grades ( 6 JK in a.m. with 8 Grade 1, 6 K in p.m. with 8 Grade 1 ) Grade 2, 3, 4 22 students – triple grades Grade 5/6 25 students - 2 grades Grade 7/8 28 students – 2 grades HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

2009-2010 St. Christopher – Including Out of Boundary Students JK K Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 6 6 6 8 5 8 9 12 13 19 Enrolment 92 or 86 FTE HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

2009-2010 St. Christopher – Including Out of Boundary Students JK / K / Grade 1 / Grade 2 = 20 (four grades) Grade 3 / 4 / 5 = (triple grades) 22 Grade 6/7 = 25 (cross division combined grades) Grade 8 = 19 (below contract/funding allocation) HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Challenges

        Combined grades Triple grades Four grades in a class Cross divisional classes Different learning environments required for JK/K and Grade 1 and 2 Wide range of ages within each class Very large number of curriculum expectations Wide range of abilities – students working above and below grade level – students on an Individual Education Plan, Students with Special Needs, English Language Learners HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Challenges

 Fewer teachers providing instruction  Less opportunities for teacher collaboration  Fewer teachers for Supervision  Fewer teachers for co-curricular activities  Very difficult to plan, teach and assess multiple curriculum expectations  Less opportunity for teacher mentoring  Sacramental preparation   EQAO Outdoor education/field trips – range of ages HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Operating Costs

The second reason that the option for consolidation/closure of St. Christopher was based on Value to the Board. The per pupil operating costs for the schools under review in Hamilton East are:    St. Christopher St. David St. Luke $11, 150 per student $6, 375.43 per student $5, 920.94 per student  From the school year 2008-2009 onward, the cost to operate St. Christopher would increase based on the lower number of full time equivalent students and the increasing long term renewal costs.

Estimated cost of renewal projects for St. Christopher over next 10 years = $1,243,332.00

HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Possible Boundary Changes

The Hamilton-East Accommodation Review Committee discussed the question: Could an alternative boundary organization offer better long-term opportunities to provide quality educational programs / services and accommodations for students within current fiscal realities?

HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Possible Boundary Changes

The committee discussed the possible expansion of the St. Christopher boundary from its current boundary to include a larger catchment area – from Kenilworth Avenue to the Red Hill Valley and from King Street to the rail tracks.

The committee accepted the fact that students who were currently residing in the expanded boundary would not want to change schools and attend St. Christopher school.

The committee investigated the possible number of students that may move into the area of the expanded boundary within the next 3-5 years. Approximately 25 students may move into the expanded boundary area over the next 3-5 years HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

St. Christopher population over the next 3-5 years, based on the CN Watson report 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 83 71 67 64 59 C.N. Watson report excludes out of boundary students. In September 2008 there would be 17 additional out of boundary students if St. Christopher were to remain open. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

 If the school remained open for 3-5 years, the expanded boundary would still not boost enrolment at St. Christopher.

 All schools in the area surrounding St. Christopher are also facing significant decline in enrolment over the next 3-5 years.

 Changing boundaries to help one school will only have a negative impact on another school. Since all the schools in lower east Hamilton are under review due to declining enrolment, changing boundaries was not accepted as a viable solution. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Demographics Based on the data from the School Valuation Framework, there are 2884 empty pupil spaces within an 8 km radius of St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School. This is the equivalent of 28 schools the size of St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

The committee was asked to outline a potential boundary re-organization that would meet the range of mandatory and optional programs and ensure long-term program quality for the students.

The committee investigated a boundary change that would see the boundary of St. John the Baptist Catholic Elementary School expanded to include the current St. Christopher student population. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Consolidation St. John the Baptist / St. Christopher’s Possible Class Structures – Scenario 1 JK 20 JK/K 20 K 20 Grade 1 20 Grade 1/2 20 (14 + 6) Grade 2 19 Grade 3 19 Grade 3 19 Grade 4 30 Grade 4/5 29 (15 + 14) Grade 5 32 Grade 6 27 Grade 7 29 Grade 7 30 Grade 8 25 Grade 8 25 HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Consolidation St. John the Baptist / St. Christopher Possible Class Structure – Scenario 2

JK 20 JK/K 20 K 20 Grade 1 20 Grade 1/2 20 (14 + 6) Grade 2 19 Grade 3 19 Grade 3 19 Grade 4 22 Grade 4 23 Grade 5 23 Grade 5 23 Grade 6 27 Grade 7 29 Grade 7 30 Grade 8 25 Grade 8 25 Total = 384 or 369 FTE

HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Benefits of Consolidation  Less combined classes  No triple grade classes  No classes with 4 grades in one class  No cross divisional classes  Learning environment can be better organized to meet needs of students  Age range of students within classes more appropriate  More teachers  More opportunities for teacher collaboration, mentoring  Curriculum much more manageable HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Benefits of Consolidation  Larger, newer gymnasium  Newer computer lab   Large closed classrooms More students – greater flexibility for placement of students  Students can experience a variety of teaching styles  Next to church HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Concerns  Multi-levels  Playground space HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Additional Costs  Transportation –approx. $35,000.00

 Upgrades to receiving school Potential cost savings:  1.2 million dollars in renewal costs  Approximately $600,000.00 in annual salary costs  Approximately $35,000.00 in annual maintenance costs HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Hamilton-East Accommodation Review Committee Recommendations

Based on the findings of the School Accommodation Review process, the Hamilton-East Accommodation Review Committee is recommending that St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School be closed effective June 30, 2008 and be consolidated with St. John the Baptist effective September, 2008. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

The committee recommends that the current bussing distances – 1.2 km for JK and K students and 1.6 km for Grade 1-8 students be applied to the new boundary subject to the Transportation Policy.

HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

The committee recommends that all out of boundary students currently attending St. Christopher Elementary School be allowed to attend St. John the Baptist Catholic Elementary School effective September 2008. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

The committee recommends that current out of boundary students from St. Christopher be allowed to take the bus to St. John the Baptist if they can be picked up at designated stops provided for St. Christopher students. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

The committee recommends that the Board establish the new boundary for St. John the Baptist that will include all or part of the current St. Christopher boundary. The committee recommends that any current St. Christopher students and their siblings who live outside of the new catchment boundary for St. John the Baptist area be “grandfathered” to complete their elementary education at St. John the Baptist if they so choose. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

The committee recommends that when new boundaries are established by the board, students living within the St. Eugene boundary be provided bus transportation based on the Board Transportation policy – 1.2 km for JK and K students, and 1.6 km for Grade 1-8 students if they elect to attend St. Eugene school. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Hamilton-East Accommodation Review Committee Recommendations

Information relating to the recommended consolidation of St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School with St. John the Baptist, should be shared with all current families (as well as all newly registered families for 2008-2009) via the Principal by Thursday February 28, 2008. Parents should be given an opportunity to express possible alternative school placements for consideration for their child/children for September 2008. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

The Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee will include possible enhancements to St. John the Baptist in the report to be presented to the Director. The estimated cost of the possible enhancements would be included in the report. The possible enhancements would be prioritized in the report and may include upgrades to some classrooms, more air conditioning, possible relocation of the Library Information Centre, and possible relocation of the main office.

HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

In the event that the Board decides to close St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School, the Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee understands that the Board must follow the established Ministry of Education policies relating to the transfer or sale of existing buildings currently owned by the Board. HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

NEXT STEPS

 Committee Meeting - February 26, 2008  The Hamilton East Accommodation Review Committee final report to the Director of Education. (February 27, 2008)  The Director of Education reviews all information and prepares a report to be presented to the Board of Trustees.

 The Board of Trustees will make a decision regarding the schools under review. (Possible date May 6, 2008) HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

NEXT STEPS

 If the Board decides to close St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School, the principal of St. Christopher will organize transition activities for the students and families.  Plans to upgrades the receiving school will be developed and implemented based on budget and timelines.  Parents will have an opportunity to participate in a tour of the receiving school.  Plans will be developed for the closing of St. Christopher Catholic Elementary School.

HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

Board Web Site www.hwcdsb.ca

Director’s Office: 905-525-2930 - Emilia Rastelli Superintendent’s Office 905-525-2930 Ext. 2203 HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE

HAMILTON EAST ACCOMMODATION REVIEW COMMITTEE